Resuscitation and rescue has 'revival'

Ocean Beach Surf Lifesaving Club has had a "revival" in Resuscitation and Rescue in its Nipper movement, according to Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Resuscitation and Rescue coordinator Ms Louise Lambeth.

The club will have teams compete in the event in the upcoming Surf Life Saving Championships.

The club currently has six two-person Resuscitation and Rescue teams and as well as two five-person teams who have been competing at local and Sydney carnivals.

The teams range in age from Under-11s to Under-14s.

The children learnt a number of disciplines to do with the Resuscitation and Rescue of a patient, said Ms Lambeth.

In two-person Resuscitation and Rescue, one child is a patient and the other performs a rescue.

"The initial stage is to identify a person requiring attention symbolised by the raised arm to signal for help," said Ms Lambeth.

"The rescuer then performs an initial assessment of vital signs.

"Then the rescuer performs a two-minute cycle of rescue breathing and compressions (CPR).

"The rescuer then rechecks the vital signs and places the patient into a recovery position.

"In five-person Resuscitation and Rescue, the rescue reel and belt are used.

"This is the oldest form of rescue equipment developed by the Surf Life Saving movement dating back to around 1908.

"A team of five children learn to rescue a patient from the water's edge.

"At Under-17 they will begin to perform a deep water rescue.

"The rescue is initially performed by the belt person and reel person assisted by the lines persons who feed out and haul in the line.

"Once the patient is secured on shore the team will then perform a lift and carry to above the high water mark.

"Assessment of the patient is performed and CPR is commenced for a two-minute cycle.

"Once the patient has been resuscitated the team reforms to march from the competition area.

"These skills are integral to surf lifesaving and equip the children with techniques they can use in real life situations," said Ms Lambeth.

Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club is the oldest surf club on the Central Coast, having celebrated its 90th year of service last year.

"Resuscitation and Rescue ensures that this tradition will continue and our beaches under our future generation will be safer places for our community," said Ms Lambeth.

Media Release, 13 Feb 2013

Louise Lambeth, Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club